A notorious criminal, who plotted terrifying knifepoint betting shop robberies, shortly after his release for a series of £100,000 ‘Google Earth’ rooftop burglaries has been locked-up for four-and-half years.
Roofer Tom Berge, 28, of Maldon Road, Wallington, Surrey, was caught in the getaway car with his accomplice after robbing Coral’s Bookmaker’s, Banstead Road, Sutton, on September 4, last year.
“I am very, very sceptical about his remorse. He showed no sympathy for the people at these betting-shops whatsoever,” announced Recorder Nicholas Heathcote Williams QC at Croydon Crown Court.
“He took pride in the fact he was a prolific public offender, a career criminal……I have great difficulty accepting he feels any remorse.”
Berge, who has committed 64 previous crimes, pleaded guilty to robbing Coral’s and also pleaded guilty to conspiring to rob commercial premises, including Betfred, St. Dunstan’s Hill, Sutton, on August 26.
His accomplice, 21 year-old Joseph Gokmen, of Winchcombe Road, Carshalton, Surrey, pleaded guilty to robbing both betting shops and was sentenced to four years imprisonment.
On both occasions two robbers armed with knives, using boxer shorts to cover their faces, confronted terrified staff and forced them to hand over cash.
They fled with £1,195 from Betfred and £700 from Coral’s, but the defendants were stopped by police and arrested in Stafford Road, Wallington after the second raid.
Berge, (pictured) who came to criminal notoriety when employing Google Earth to target buildings with valuable lead lining on their roofs, planned the Betfred robbery, but was not one of the knifemen.
He had recently been released from a sentence of twelve months’ imprisonment imposed for breaching a suspended sentence after admitting over thirty thefts from the roofs of schools, churches, museums and other historic buildings, stealing 44.5 tonnes of lead.
“The robberies were planned, disguises were used and it caused great concern at Betfred in particular as anyone watching the CCTV can see,” added Recorder Heathcote Williams QC.
“It was a team effort and having done it they went back and did another.”
He told Gokmen: “These were robberies of small betting shops with knives. They were carefully planned, a group effort. You wore disguises and caused great distress and slightly after Betfred you were back at it committing the Coral’s robbery.”
He told Berge: “You were the senior partner,” also sentencing him to four months concurrent for taking and driving away the VW car used in the getaway.
Coral’s customer Keith Adams earned a £250 reward for following the robbers outside and noting their getaway car’s number plate.
“Despite being told by the manager not to go after them he did…That was a very calm and brave thing to do, to follow men who had knives,” announced Recorder Heathcote Williams QC.
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